Maria Sharapova edges Jelena Jankovic for Cincinnati title

Victory in the title match of the Western & Southern Open was so close to the 2009 Cincinnati champion Jelena Jankovic, but last year’s runner-up Maria Sharapovais never defeated until she loses the match point and her well-known willpower gave her the edge in the crucial second-set tiebreak when the Russian won five successive points.

The match featured 20 double faults and 16 service breaks (8 on both sides), most prominently in the third set in which both players failed to hold their serve in the first six games. Sharapova was the first to stop that trend for a 4-3 lead. An extra break later gave her the set and the match 4-6 7-6(3) 6-3.

Reaching the final itself is a satisfactory achievement for the former world No.1 Jankovic, whose recent results are far from where she should be and her title drought is now 17-month old. It is disappointing that she lost as just one extra push or stroke of luck would have been enough for her to win the title. We were reminded once again how big of a fighter Sharapova is and her head-to-head record against Jankovic is now 6-1, including 3-1 in WTA finals.

Victories that Sharapova made at the $2,050,000 Premier-level Cincinnati event: Anastasia Rodionova in the second round, followed by Svetlana Kuznetsova, Samantha Stosur, Vera Zvonareva and finally Jelena Jankovic.

It is Sharapova’s 24th career title and her second title in 2011, after Rome in May. In the rankings she improved from No.7 to No.4. (photo via WTA Tour)

This was strange match to watch- they both made many unenforced errors, they both made them in crucial moments, and there was much tension between them, but on the other side there were many great winners from Sharapova and many nice shots by Jankovic.
I'm sorry that Jelena lost cause she could have won this, but, to tell the truth, that would be because of so many Maria's missed shots, but at least she has proven her game is getting better now that she is back with Sanchez. Glad for Maria, cause she has been playing many finals of these US open series in 2009 and 2010 and now she finally got the title,and she beat some real serious opponents on her way. But,those errors are really disturbing, her fighting spirit made her through.

Hm… I've seen the match and have to say it was a very funny match. I had to lauph when Jelena has disputed with the coach all the time. But the best was Marias face when Jelena spoke to the coach again and again ^^

I was for Jelena but Maria was the better player.

I love Jelenas dress!!! From wich brand is it? I heard it's an asian, isn't it?